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Gators Notebook: Florida glad to add skill players

Florida’s struggling offense received a boost on Wednesday’s national signing day when two skill players chose the Gators.

Miami Washington quarterback Treon Harris and Homestead South Dade receiver C.J. Worton capped Florida’s class at 24 players. The Gators didn’t have any committed players entering the day flip to another school. Despite a 4-8 season, Florida’s haul was considered the sixth-best in the nation by ESPN, and Rivals.com listed it seventh.

Harris chose UF after being committed to Florida State. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Harris is considered a four-star prospect and the nation’s 69th overall recruit by Rivals.

Harris pairs with Davidson (N.C.) standout Will Grier to give the Gators arguably the nation’s best quarterback haul. Grier, one of nine early enrollees, is ranked 46th overall in the nation by Rivals and was selected as the Parade national player of the year.

“Competition is the best motivator,” Florida coach Will Muschamp said. “There’s no question those guys will both work. They’re both winners. Treon won two state championships there at Booker T, one of the best high school programs in the country.”

New UF offensive coordinator Kurt Roper was instrumental in recruiting Harris, who started three seasons at Washington. Muschamp said UF’s recruiting board was adjusted after Roper was hired in December to go after the qualities he wants in offensive players. He said quarterback was one of those positions.

“We needed to be able to be more mobile at that position,” Muschamp said. “Have a dual-threat guy that can throw it and run.”

Muschamp said Roper also wanted to emphasize the slot receiver spot, a position Worton fits into. Rivals ranks Worton (6-0, 170 pounds) as a three-star prospect. He was committed to FSU for over a year at one point. He chose Florida over West Virginia.

“C.J. was as competitive a guy in the state championship game as you’ll ever see,” Muschamp said. “Three touchdown catches in the state title game there for South Dade.”

UF gets bulk on First Coast

The Gators signed three Jacksonville players, all offensive linemen. Trinity Christian’s Kavaris Harkless enrolled early in January. Raines’ Travaris Dorsey and Fletcher’s David Sharpe signed on Wednesday. Muschamp commented on all three players.

■ On Harkless (6-5, 275 pounds):

“He’s got a lot of length,” Muschamp said. “He needs to continue to build on his body, but is going to be a guy that’s going to be a really good player for us.”

■ On Dorsey (6-3, 310 pounds):

“Travaris is a powerful guy,” Muschamp said. “He has a really good lower body, punch and power. You turn the tape on, he gets movement all the time up front. He’s a 320-pounder, guy that’s got some good length on his arms. I think he has 34-inch arms. So he’s got some reach up front to be able to push the pile inside, a square guy that gets a lot of movement.”

■ On Sharpe (6-6, 315 pounds):

“He’s got great feet,” Muschamp said. “You can’t coach that. So he’s a guy that I think will continue to improve. His best football is ahead of him, because he’s still very young at the game.”

Etc.

Muschamp announced senior safety Cody Riggs would not return to the team. Riggs (5-9, 190 pounds) started 26 games for the Gators, including all 12 last season. He finished his career with 107 tackles and one interception. “Cody Riggs and his parents came to me, and he’s going to finish up in May and transfer to another school to finish his last year of eligibility,” Muschamp said. “He wanted a fresh start, and I appreciate his contributions to Florida.” … Former Gators and Jaguars linebacker Mike Peterson is joining the UF staff and accepted a full-time job in the strength program. The 37-year-old Peterson was a second-round pick by Indianapolis in 1999 and played 14 seasons in the NFL.